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Getting Outside the Basket

2008-06-19T19:52:00Z

I happened upon an article in Parenting (Sizing things up, July 2008). The article explained the development of 1-2 year olds. This is an excerpt from that article:

...Once toddlers have mastered walking and can recognize themselves in mirrors, they'll try figuring out how they "fit in" with the world.

Shortly after reading this article, like a day later, I noticed S climbing into a basket and then looking at the world around him. He had this look on his face that sort of said, "Hey! Look at me in this basket." Since then he has climbed into other baskets and boxes - laundry baskets, Pampers boxes, toy boxes, etc. He is definitely sizing up the world around him and seeing how he fits in. And that's when it hit me like a lightening bolt! From the very beginning of life each one of us sizes up the world around us from our own point of view. We come from a self-centered viewpoint and we see how things size up around us. Now, developmentally that's a very important step for toddlers and children. But sometimes I wonder how many times we get stuck in that developmental stage - like a toddler - and never move past a viewpoint beyond ourselves?

Certainly Jesus went through the "sizing-things-up" stage as a toddler to the delight of Mary his mommy. If she had had a camera, no doubt she would've snapped some photos of such cuteness. But as he grew he soon found that he fit into the world based on God's plan for him. This is what Jesus prayed to his heavenly Father on our behalf, "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do...As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world...May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (John 17:3, 18, 21).

The Parenting article was a great reminder to me to get outside the basket and view the world from God's point of view. And it's equally important that I instill that same truth into my children. It's okay for now that they are sizing up the world around them to see how they fit in. They need that time for proper growth. But they also need my help to guide them into a viewpoint that looks beyond themselves and looks at the world through the eyes of Jesus. That's an important task, and a very big one. I'll need lots of patience, mercy, and love. I'm so glad Jesus has already prayed on my behalf and is living in my heart to guide me through every aspect of life and parenting. He knew I'd really need him in order to get outside the basket.

Let Yourself Off the Hook

2008-05-11T01:22:00Z

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there. I came across this quote yesterday and thought it was really great: "Who you are is more important than what you do as a parent [or mom]" (Dr. Les Parrott). So let yourself off the hook this week. Stop "doing" and just focus on Jesus and your identity in Him.

SWC vs. SWM

2008-05-08T16:59:00Z

This week has been the strong-willed child versus the stronger-willed mommy. I've tried all sorts of motivational incentives the past few weeks including a rewards system, picture charts, praise, bribery, and the list goes on. But unfortunately for my SWC the only motivation she responds to is the kind she can feel on her behind. Dr. Dobson is a very smart man. I should've read his books three years ago. It took an eye-opening statement from L's occupational therapist to get me reading Dobson's Strong-Willed Child. In a nutshell this is what she said, "You might want to read Dobson's Strong-Willed Child. I think that's the cause of most of L's issues. She refused to let me help her today. She said 'I'll do it!' on several occasions even when she was really struggling. She's definitely striving for independence even though she is entering that phase a little late." In a nutshell this is what I heard: "Please, for the love of God, get a copy of Strong-Willed Child. Your stubborn child needs some good old-fashioned butt-whoopin'. If I, a paid professional who has been working with children for over 20 years, cannot get your 3-year-old to cooperate then this child needs to be whipped into shape." Of course, I'm only kidding. L's OT is a very sweet, and very hepful person. She is great with children and really great with L. And what's really amazing is that L loves her very much. L will tell you that she is one of her favorite people. So really, if she can't motivate L, then that tells me that nobody can...except me and her daddy with a little brute force.

Daddy picked up two copies of the book so that we can read it together and discuss. I'll keep you posted.

Easy Recipe for Some Get-up-and-go for Your Got-up-and-went

2008-05-03T02:04:00Z

I call this my "Mother of Two Turbo Boost." This recipe came out of the Runner's World magazine months and months ago. But I just now got around to trying it, and I must say, it is quite yum-diliacious! I've changed it up a bit just because I didn't have all the correct ingredients, and my modifications work just fine (in case you were short some key ingredients like me). Here goes:

2 oz espresso or strong coffee (okay, if you have kids you'll definitely want to bump up the caffeine factor like I did and go ahead and do 3-4 oz espresso or strong coffee).

3 oz low fat milk

1 oz half-and-half (or...if you are like me and trying to squeeze back into pre-preg jeans, you may want to consider skipping the half-and-half and going all low fat milk. Why add the additional guilt, right?)

2 cups standard-size ice cubes

1 oz chocolate syrup or cocoa powder (if you go the guilt-free route suggested above, you won't feel so bad about adding a bit more chocolate here. The payoff is magnifique!)

Mix all ingredients in a blender for 25 seconds or until smooth. Serve immediately. Makes two 8-oz servings...or one 16-oz "Mother of Two Turbo Boost."

Calories (with chocolate syrup): 90; Fat: 2 g; Carbs: 15 g; Protein: 2 g. Not bad, ey?

From One Mom to Another

2008-04-21T02:08:00Z

My heart aches for other moms who are suffering. Right now my heart aches for the mothers and children whose lives have been destroyed by the lies spread by the Fundamental Mormon Church. If you are a mom out there who has freedom to dress, speak, live and pray, let's praise Jesus for freedom in Him. And let's join together this week and remember those moms (and their children) who may never know the Truth and whose dignity have been destroyed. From one mom to another, let's lift them up.

Grandma is my Fly Lady

2008-04-09T16:44:00Z

A friend of mine, who is the self-proclaimed "messy one", told me about this website: www.flylady.net. As helpful, and as funny, as the site might be to some, I began to think about how far we SAHM's have come (or how far we've declined) when a website such as this one is needed. With articles such as Crisis Cleaning 101, Before Bed Routine, and How to Declutter, I can't help but wonder where in the world did we go wrong?

My Grandma woke up before sunrise to begin the day: ironing, breakfast, get everyone out the door to work and school, laundry, vacuuming, dusting, dishes, picking up, etc. This is a woman who found time to raise four sons and still iron every bedsheet and hanky in the house. If you've never slept on a crisp, freshly ironed sheet you are really missing a treat. I remember sleeping over at my grandparents' house and sleeping on sheets pulled from the cedar chest that had been placed in there neatly pressed. A little over five years ago I inherited my grandparents' dining room furniture. To this day some of my Grandma's crisply ironed tablecloths remain neatly folded in the drawer of the sideboard. I like to pull them out periodically and look at them (without unfolding, of course) as a way to remember my Grandma. They are as crisp as the day they were placed in there -- a testament to good ironing.

So now, in 2008, we have a website devoted to telling us younger generation SAHM's how to tackle a messy house in 15-minute increments, instructing us to take coffee and/or tea breaks in between so we don't get "burned out." By no means do I have a spotless house, but really, I'm not sure how I could ever get my house clean and keep it clean in 15-minute increments. From the time I wake up in the morning until the time I sit down in the evening after the children are in bed, I am cleaning, straightening, washing, sorting, folding, ironing, scrubbing, cooking, diapering, bathing, and on and on.

The website is probably a really great tool for those trying to get started. But there's no replacement for experience and hard work. The more I work around my house the easier it becomes. Like any job, you get better as the months and years progress. You learn ways to work smarter not harder. Here are some tricks I found:

1) Filling your sink with hot soapy water will make your sink and disposal clean all in one step;

2) Cleaning the tub and shower is easier when you are in there taking a shower;

3) Cleaning out the refrigerator and wiping down the shelves is best done when it's empty and you are in desperate need of grocery shopping;

4) De-cluttering is one of the easiest household jobs. Therefore, keep bathrooms and kitchens wiped down frequently and floors vacuumed in case of surprise guests. You can pick up a few toys and dirty laundry faster than you can vacuum and scrub your toilets.

Nobody taught these to me. I learned them through experience. I imagine my Grandma had her tricks through the years, too. If only she were here to share them with me. Sort of like my very own "Fly Lady."

Dolly Nite on American Idol

2008-04-02T02:16:00Z

What an amazing show tonight on Idol. I loved, and when I say loved I mean totally love loved every second of it. Even if you think Dolly Parton is a cheesy, big-haired (and more), honky-tonk singer you still have to give her props for her amazing song-writing talent. I think her voice is amazing and she looks young enough to be my sister. Most Idol contestants did well with her songs, which is a testament to her amazing song-writing skills. If you missed it, you can check out the performances at www.americanidol.com (at 10:23 p.m. the Dolly performances were not yet posted online, but check back).

Purim Celebration - continued

2008-03-21T23:39:00Z

As promised, here's a recap of my very first experience with a Messianic Jewish congregation. Last night I attended a Purim celebration, also called Feast of Esther. At this celebration the entire book of Esther is read aloud. It is intended to be a festive celebration with costumes, sometimes drunkenness (which is odd to me), eating sweets, and giving to the poor as the word purim indicates. Rabbi Mike, who conducted last night's celebration, said that many Rabbi's get fall-down drunk. But since his congregation gets "high on the Spirit" they do not partake of alcoholic beverages. Phew! If it had been a big drunk-fest, I'd have rather gone down the road to get an icy, fruity island beverage at the Red Iguana and hear rap lyrics in English. Sorry if this offends any Jewish readers out there, but drunken costume parties are better left to the dance clubs, not to Torah-carrying Rabbi's.

A few of the women in the congregation brought plenty of costumes for all of us to get dressed up prior to the reading. I chose a flashy ensemble that resembled a Persian princess. It was fun! We prayed in the name of Yeshua and then began the reading...all ten chapters! At each mention of Mordecai we cheered (blessings) and at each mention of Haman we boo-ed and hissed (curses). Mordecai is mentioned 54 times so that's a lot of cheering. My voice was hoarse by the last chapter. This was an interesting tradition. I've never had the chance to boo or hiss during a scripture reading.

Rabbi Mike closed the service with a prayer in the name of Yeshua. And then a visitor from Iraq requested prayer for the Middle East and compared Mahmūd Ahmadinejād, leader of Iran, to Haman. Rabbi Mike reminded all of us that the same Lord who protected His people against Haman would also protect His people against Ahmadinejād. Rabbi Mike proceeded to prayer for the chosen people and asked that the Lord's hand of protection be upon them in the Middle East and all of us across the world. This was just a simple reminder of how relevant, timeless, and far-reaching God's Holy Word will forever be.

We then got to eat sweets - cupcakes, cookies, donuts, fruit and cola - so that the sweet taste of the Lord would remain in our mouths. We fellowshipped with each other. I spoke with Rabbi Mike and the visitor from Iraq (sorry, cannot pronounce or spell his name). I was wearing a necklace with my name written in Hebrew and both Rabbi and Visitor commented on it. This in turn got the conversation started about Hebrew names and their meanings. My name means "to overflowing," or as one friend put it "full tank."

Uncle J, Aunt Les and I got into a conversation with another member of the congregation about "remembering the Sabbath." I always get a good chuckle about this topic since I'm not exactly sure how a mom with two children aged 3 and under get to keep the Sabbath. My daily job, regardless of the day of the week, is comprised of teaching, disciplining, and poopie-patrol. This does not change from day to day. I seek my Sabbath rest through Jesus Christ and not through a set day on the calendar, otherwise I'd go nuts! However, I do attend a worship service every Sunday to celebrate the ressurrection of Jesus. Really, I don't care if the service were held on Saturday, Sunday, Monday or Thursday. And besides, most Sundays I work in the nursery like many moms do so I'm not sure how the Sabbath - in legalistic terms - would play out in my life. But, when you got Jesus, who needs legalism? I'd fail miserably at being good.

I've always wanted to play Esther in a play so as we were leaving, I asked Rabbi Mike if I could return next year and read Esther's spoken parts. He said he was counting on it. I hope to return to their church for the Passover celebration next month. I was told that Rabbi Mike does an excellent job showing the parallels of the Passover with the Lord's Supper and the fullfillment of the prophecy through Yeshua. Can't wait!

Purim Celebration

2008-03-20T19:51:00Z

Tonight I will be going with Uncle J and Aunt Les to a Purim Celebration at a local Messianic Jewish church. Should be interesting and exciting. I'll report back.

I'm officially a Mom

2008-03-19T16:31:00Z

I was shopping for some blue jeans yesterday. As I was in the dressing room sifting through the stack of various fits, cuts, and fades of each pair I realized that my process for selection has become a lot more complicated in the past three years. This is what the process looks like now:

1. True or False. These jeans won't slip or slide while I'm climbing playground equipment.

2. True or False. These jeans look best with tennis shoes since wearing cute, strappy sandals won't function well at the zoo.

3. True or False. When I sit down, these jeans don't reveal skin or bulges of any sort.

4. True or False. The pockets are large enough to fit three pacifiers, a set of keys, and a tube of chapstick (as lipstick leaves lip marks on my kids' cheeks).

5. True or False. My butt doesn't look big in these jeans.

6. True or False. Hubby will still think I look Hot in these jeans.

Good news! I think I found a pair yesterday that meets all these requirements.

Heading Off To School

2008-03-05T19:07:00Z

Today we went to our church to sign L up for their Mother's Day Out program. This is a two-day per week program which, like the name implies, gives mothers a break. I welcome the break, but I'm more excited to see L flourish around other children her age. This has always been a struggle for her. It might be quite an adjustment at first, but once she gets the swing of things I really hope she will love the playtime and learning time. And I hope baby brother doesn't cry too much when he misses her at home.

Food for Thought

2008-02-25T22:07:00Z

I have had two insightful thoughts this week. That's pretty much my max. Here they are:

1. There's a bill going to the Senate that will declare cell phone usage illegal while driving. Whoever came up this bill has not seen my driving skills. I can think of at least 20 million legal activities that I do while driving and most of them do not involve looking at the road. See this post for specific examples.

2. When seeing a doctor for the very first time, there are plenty of forms to fill out as a new patient. One question on those forms that always stumps me is, "In case of emergency, who should we contact?" I usually write my mom's contact information in that space, but honestly, why is this question even necessary. Afterall, I am at a doctor's office? Or even better, who does the doctor put as his/her emergency contact? That's who I want handling my emergency!

First Hair Cut

2008-02-24T01:07:00Z

S got his very first hair cut this evening. The poor kid was growing a mullet (he takes after his Daddy). I used the clippers on him, not the way you might think. He doesn't have a buzz cut. I used the largest guard and it actually turned out quite handsome. He is my little big man and I love him so much. He is a soft, cuddly, happy, lovable, roly-poly little fellow. I want to squeeze him and bite his chubby cheeks. He is always smiling at me. Today when I got home from grocery shopping, he immediately crawled over to me and reached up to grab my leg. His face just shines with joy whenever I enter the room. It melts my heart. And now he has a very handsome little man hair cut and my heart just melts. Wow! I didn't know my heart could love so much.

We miss you, Papaw

2008-02-12T01:56:00Z

This world lost a really great man yesterday. God decided to bring him home, even though to us it seems way too early. I will miss Bud, who my children called Papaw. He really loved his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren very much. He gave so much of his time, energy, love, and support to each of them in so many different ways. Here are just a few examples of the ways he took care of them and us:

He enrolled in a GED program with his daughter-in-law to give her support and encouragement in completing her education, as well as completing his own.

He gave his daugther and grand-daughter a place to live for nearly ten years when they were without a home.

He babysat his great-grandson every day so that his grand-daugther could complete her education without worrying about the care of her son.

He purchased vehicles for several family members who were unable to afford their own.

He gave his grown son and brother a temporary place to live when life's circumstances found them without homes of their own.

In his many years supervising employees at the Coca-Cola Company, he never asked his employees to do more than he would do himself. And many times he worked extra hours just so his employees could have more time with their own families.

The list goes on, but this just gives you a glimpse of the man that we called Papaw. I will miss him.

State Testing - Results Are In

2008-02-08T00:51:00Z

Well, the results from L's testing conclude that I am raising a "high-maintenance daughter who requires extra effort" (no joke - this is the exact words used to describe my "beautiful, precious girl"). This comes as no surprise to me. Nor does this qualify as a disability in the state of Tennessee. Go figure!

But really, all of this is really great news. L performed beautifully on all tests. She proved to be functioning in the average to above average range in almost all areas of development. It appears as though her sensory issues are not affecting her educational capabilities. The school's occupational therapist (OT) recognized many of L's sensory integration problems, but she also noticed how far L had come when she read over past OT evaluations in her file. This means that the past three months of OT has been working wonders. I can already tell a huge difference.

In addition, L's current OT will be conducting a sensory integration research project this Spring. She said L would be a great candidate for the project and she wants to include her. This would mean that L will get the same SI therapy that she's already getting, but during the 12-week project the therapy will be free of charge for us.

It's amazing how God has put all of these pieces together for us and has led us through this process!